Stackable serving vessel

ABSTRACT

The stackable food vessel of the present disclosure provides a user with added convenience in storage and uses. The vessel comprises a lid, bowl, main body or shaft, and suction cup. The bowl can be removably connected to the shaft. The suction cup is connected to the shaft in such a way that rotation of the shaft draws the suction cup upward, creating a suction connection with a flat surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/819,975, filed on May 6, 2013, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to serving vessels. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to serving vessels and bowls comprising multiple serving components stacked in axial (e.g., vertical) alignment for easy storage, and with a suction for attachment to a surface.

2. Description of the Related Art

There is a continuing need for serving vessels and bowls that provide a user with a variety of serving options and ease of use.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The serving vessel of the present disclosure provides a very easy to use and convenient stackable alignment. Multiple components are stacked in axial arrangement for easy storage. When in use, in one example, the components can be stacked in vertical axial alignment. In addition, the serving vessel of the present disclosure includes a bottom component with a suction cup that can be attached to a surface such as a counter top or a plate.

Thus, in one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a stackable food vessel, comprising a shaft having a first, top end and a second, bottom end, wherein the second, bottom end of the shaft has a channel therein. The vessel further comprises a suction cup connected to the bottom end of the shaft. The suction cup comprises a flat member and a projection connected to and projecting upward from an upper surface of the flat member. The projection mates with the channel in the bottom end of the shaft. Axial movement of the projection within the channel pulls on the flat member, to create suction on a second side of the flat member.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a stackable food vessel, comprising a bowl, a shaft, and a suction cup in axial alignment. The bowl is removably connected to a receptacle in an upper end of the shaft. A suction cup is removably and rotatably connected to the shaft. The suction cup comprises a flat member and a screw projecting from an upper surface of the flat member. The shaft comprises a threaded channel in an interior portion thereof, so that the screw mates with the threaded channel. Rotation of the shaft draws the screw upward into the threaded channel.

For ease of description, the term “vessel” is used to describe the serving device of the present disclosure. As can be seen in the Figures, the “vessel” of the present disclosure includes bowls, flat plates or lids, a suction cup, and/or a main body or shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the serving vessel of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the serving vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the serving vessel of FIG. 1 attached to a plate.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the serving vessel of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the serving vessel of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the serving vessel of the present disclosure attached to two plates.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, serving vessel 1 of the present disclosure is shown. Serving vessel 1 has body or shaft 10, floating ring 20, suction cup and screw 30, lid 40, and serving bowl 50. As shown, each of these components of serving vessel 1 stacks axially, for example vertically, providing convenience of use and storage. Suction cup 30 can be connected to a flat surface in the manner described below, to allow vessel 1 to stand securely on the surface. Vessel 1 may also be configured so that the user can utilize a single- or dual-level serving platter, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. Bowl 50 is removably connected to shaft 10 as shown, so that it can be stored separately, and with or without lid 40 if desired. Thus, serving vessel 1 provides functionality and convenience not found in currently available serving devices.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2, suction cup 30 has a projection or threaded screw 32 projecting from the top surface of a flat member 34, which mates with a channel 12 in shaft 10. Member 34 can be overmolded onto screw 32. When a user turns or rotates shaft 10, channel 12 pulls up on screw 32, drawing flat member 34 upward and creating a suction with the surface on which it is placed. In this manner, vessel 1 can be affixed to the flat surface. To remove vessel 1 from the surface, the user can rotate shaft 10 in the reverse direction. Flat member 34 can have a pull tab 35 formed as a part thereof, which provides the user with another way to disengage the connection between member 34 and the plate. Other methods are contemplated for drawing screw 32 up toward shaft 10, thus creating suction on flat member 34. For example, projection 32 could be an unthreaded cylinder, and/or be drawn upward into and out of channel 12 with a pumping or pneumatic motion using suction, or through the use of levers within shaft 10 or connected to screw 32.

The term “shaft” is used for convenience and ease of description with respect to the component that connects to suction cup 30 in the manner described, and receives bowl 50. Shaft 10 can be hollow throughout. Shaft 10 can also be partially hollow, at the bottom or top ends, as described herein. “Shaft” should be understood to imply any component or connector that provides the features and functions of shaft 10 as described herein.

Floating ring 20 can be connected to cup 30 in such a way that it engages shaft 10 in the manner shown in FIG. 2. When the user rotates shaft 10, a hook 15 at a bottom edge 14 of shaft 10 engages with a corresponding hook 22 of ring 20. This allows shaft 10 to spin without bottom edge 14 scuffing or damaging flat member 34, and allows the user to secure a tight suction with member 34.

Bowl 50 can sit in receptacle 16 of shaft 10, to provide a place to store food products when vessel 1 is upright. Receptacle 16 can have an open interior space, which can also be used to store food or other products if desired. Bowl 50 can be removably connected to shaft 10, such as with a snap- or friction-fit. This allows a user to remove bowl 50 and store it separately from shaft 10, with or without lid 40. Bowl 50 can also have a lip 52 that can overhang or connectably engage an upper edge 17 of receptacle 16. Lid 40 can connect to bowl 50 with different methods, such as a snap- or friction-fit.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, vessel 1 can connect easily to one or two different surfaces. As shown in FIG. 3, when suction cup 30 is connected to a plate through the suction described above, the user can place food products on the plate as well as in bowl 50. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, when a suction connection is created between vessel 1 and a plate 90, vessel 1 can be inverted, creating a cake stand. In addition, upper edge 17 of shaft 10 can rest on a second plate 92, creating a two-tiered stand for the user. Again, vessel 1 of the present disclosure provides several convenient and varied storage and serving options not found in currently available items.

The materials used in the various components should be those suitable for contact with food. Suction cup 30 can be made from an elastomeric material, such as silicone. The materials for lid 40, bowl 50, shaft 10, and 20 can be food-safe plastics or stainless steel.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure. 

1. A stackable food vessel, comprising: a shaft having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said bottom end of said shaft has a channel therein; and a suction cup connected to said bottom end of said shaft, wherein said suction cup comprises a flat member with an upper surface and a bottom surface, and a projection connected to and projecting upward from said upper surface of said flat member, wherein said projection mates with said channel in said bottom end of said shaft, and axial movement of said projection within said channel pulls on said flat member, to create suction on said bottom surface of said flat member.
 2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein said projection is a threaded screw, and said channel is threaded, so that said connection between said projection and said channel is threaded.
 3. The vessel of claim 2, wherein rotation of said shaft causes said projection to be drawn into said channel.
 4. The vessel of claim 3, further comprising a ring attached to said upper surface of said flat member, so that a bottom edge of said bottom end of said rotatably engages said ring.
 5. The vessel of claim 1, wherein said top end of said shaft has an open receptacle therein, wherein said receptacle has an open interior space.
 6. The vessel of claim 1, further comprising a bowl within said receptacle.
 7. The vessel of claim 1, wherein said projection is overmolded on to said upper surface of said flat member.
 8. A stackable food vessel, comprising a bowl, a shaft, and a suction cup in axial alignment, wherein said bowl is removably connected to a receptacle in an upper end of said shaft, and said suction cup is removably and rotatably connected to said shaft, wherein said suction cup comprises a flat member and a screw projecting from an upper surface of said flat member, and wherein said shaft comprises a threaded channel in an interior portion thereof, so that said screw mates with said threaded channel, so that rotation of said shaft draws said screw upward into said threaded channel.
 9. The food vessel of claim 8, further comprising a lid removably connected to an upper edge of said bowl.
 10. The food vessel of claim 8, further comprising a floating ring connected to said upper surface of said flat member, so that a bottom edge of said shaft rotatably engages said floating ring. 